Steadfast

Illus. by W. England

Steadfast is a sharp, curved sword designed for use by creatures who can turn their Small size into a tactical melee advantage. Carvings of creeping ivy adorn the blade, organically complementing the entire weapon design.

Nonlegacy Game Statistics: Small +1 scimitar;

Cost 2,315 gp. Since this sword is sized for a Small wielder, creatures of other sizes take a –2 penalty on attack rolls with it. Omen: When you swing Steadfast in battle, it emits a chirp like a cricket. HISTORY

Steadfast was made for a halfling outrider named Lunari Suncaster, who patrolled the woodlands and hills where her clan had settled. Lunari remained vigilant against goblin incursions and the possibility of something worse invading her clan’s lands. Fortunately, the job was largely uneventful, allowing the halfling horsewoman to spend most of her afternoons leisurely fishing or swimming. On one such occasion, after swimming to the middle of a lake, Lunari spotted four gnolls waiting to ambush her on the other side. She knew if she turned around and quickly swam back, she might reach her gear and warpony before they circled the lake. The moment she started, however, the monsters revealed themselves and began running. It was close, but Lunari made it ashore before the gnolls got the advantage. Without wasting a second, she vaulted into her warpony’s saddle and charged her attackers, brandishing the scimitar that came to be known as Steadfast above her head. (DC 15) Lunari, a cunning mounted warrior, cut down two gnolls in as many passes, but another of the creatures knocked the woman off her mount on the third. She fell to the ground, gathered herself up in one fluid motion, scimitar still in hand, and advanced on her assailants—two creatures easily twice her size. One gnoll took note of his dead companions and made a run for it. The other, apparently stronger in body and courage, pressed his attack, but Lunari made short work of him. She

slashed his legs to keep him from running away, and then finished him off with one quick stab. To this day, halflings still argue about how long it took Lunari to swim ashore compared to how long it took the gnolls to circle around the lake. The truth is, however, Lunari made it into the saddle because she didn’t concern herself with dressing once she reached the shore. She didn’t even stop to consider her unclad body until the fight was over. Worrying about modesty at the time would have meant swift death. As it was, only one gnoll lived to tell the tale, and whatever he saw that day, lighthearted Lunari didn’t begrudge him. (DC 20; Life Before Modesty) LEGACY RITUAL One ritual is required to unlock all the abilities of Steadfast. Life Before Modesty: Alone, you have to defeat four opponents with no fewer than 5 Hit Dice among them. Steadfast must be your only weapon, and your Armor Class can only benefit from your Dexterity modifier, Dodge bonuses, and a racial natural armor bonus (if any). Cost: 1,200 gp. Feat Granted: Least Legacy (Steadfast). WIELDER REQUIREMENTS Most wielders of Steadfast are barbarians, druids, fighters, paladins, or rangers.

Steadfast Wielder Requirements

Base attack bonus +3 Weapon Focus (scimitar) LEGACY ITEM ABILITIES All the following are legacy item abilities of Steadfast. The sword of a halfling outrider, Steadfast Enduring Vigor (Su): Beginempowers its wielder with vigorous defense ning at 5th level, once per day on command, you can eliminate any magical penalties (but not actual damage or drain) to one of your ability scores or remove the fatigued condition from yourself. Caster level 5th. Swimmer (Su): At 6th level, you gain a +5 competence bonus on Swim checks.